Hormel Foods Corp. (HRL) reported fourth quarter record adjusted earnings per share of $0.74, up 17 percent from $0.63 per share, a year ago. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report profit per share of $0.69 for the quarter. Analysts’ estimates typically exclude special items. Net income to company was $187.2 million or $0.69 per share compared to $171.3 million or $0.63 per share, prior year.